Building Department

The Building Department is located in the Borough Hall, 2nd Floor. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. UCC permits are issued during office hours. Building and Fire Inspections are conducted Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Electrical and Plumbing Inspections are conducted Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. To schedule an inspection, call the Building Department at (973) 962-7880.

The Building Department includes administration and enforcement of zoning, building and other codes as well as property maintenance. Within the Building Department, the Ringwood Construction Official enforces the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

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Land development and construction in Ringwood are regulated by various state, county and local laws (codes), chief among these are the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and the Borough of Ringwood Revised General Ordinances (the Borough Code). Relative to land use and construction, the Borough Code regulates zoning, property maintenance, tree removals, and various aspects of construction operations, including noise, pollution and when work can be performed.

Based on intended use, the UCC regulates how structures must be constructed to insure the health, safety and welfare of the public. It provides the means for state-licenses code officials to review plans, issue permits and inspect construction to insure that minimum code standards are met and appropriate building materials are used, thereby reducing potential hazards due to unsafe construction.

The type, location and extent of the work to be performed for any given project will determine what type(s) of permit(s) will be required to perform the intended work, including any or all of the following: zoning permit, UCC demolition and/or construction permit, tree removal permit, soil movement permit and sign permit. Certain projects and types of work may also require the prior approval of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment before any permit applications can be made.

Permits must be obtained before the start of work except that emergency replacement of furnaces, boilers and water heaters will be allowed as long as the Building Department is notified of the replacement at the time of installation and permits are obtained within three (3) days thereafter.